New to semi slicks - a few questions...

[NMX516]

Hi guys,

I've bought a set of Toyo 888's, and have my first track day with them on Thursday, but have a few questions to ask.

First up, what sort of cold pressures should I be running? (195/55/15)

Do they need to be "scrubbed in" before I go to the track? Should I put them on the car for a few days and rack up some kilometers on them before I hit the track?

Will I have to warm them up on the track before they perform at their best? How long should they take to warm up, and is there anything in particular I should do to warm them up, or just drive at my usual track day pace?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[fish]

First up, what sort of cold pressures should I be running? (195/55/15)

- 26 , 27 depending on the weather - check when you come in from the first run they should be around 30 to 32

Do they need to be "scrubbed in" before I go to the track? Should I put them on the car for a few days and rack up some kilometers on them before I hit the track?

wouldn't hurt but not entirely necessary just take it easy on your first run and they will be OK

Will I have to warm them up on the track before they perform at their best? How long should they take to warm up, and is there anything in particular I should do to warm them up, or just drive at my usual track day pace?

should only take a lap to warm up - just drive around at half to 3/4 pace and weave around a bit

have a great day !!!!!

[NMX516]

Thanks fish!!

Yeah, looking forward to it. I'm particularly keen to see how much difference these tyres will make.

[JBT]

In the wet

[rhysk]

32 hot is a good starting point. Go to the track with 28 cold, but bring a pump and gauge and tweak throughout the day, you should get a feel for what works.

They are also brilliant in the wet, but watch out for puddles.

The general wisdom is to scrub them in first for the best longevity - get them nice and sticky with a few laps of coot-tha, then take them off the car for at least 24 hours.

[JBT]

.......They are also brilliant in the wet, but watch out for puddles.......

There will probably be a couple of biiiig puddles on Thursday. Bwahahahahaha

[NMX516]

There will probably be a couple of biiiig puddles on Thursday. Bwahahahahaha

You're a sick man JBT

Thanks Rhys, and I will take the opportunity of an excuse to go for a tour of Mt Coot-tha! Like the sounds of the new sig you've got there too

[JBT]

Hey, be careful around Mt Coot-tha. I was up there today (on my way to get the milk from the shop at the end of our street) and there are lots of broken tree parts close to the road and some chopped up road edges courtesy of last week's storms.

[Steampunk]

Do they need to be "scrubbed in" before I go to the track? Should I put them on the car for a few days and rack up some kilometers on them before I hit the track?

Gerard, either on Toyo's website or Tirerack.com I read that the they have a "sheen" or coating that takes a little bit to rub off before they become ready for optimal use and they recommended you go relatively easy on them for a certain amount of k's. From memory, I think it's fairly low, something like 20miles or so
They also had recommendations on how you should store them when not in use for medium-long term.

[NMX516]

thanks for that Andrew, I'll look that up - I have been wondering about the storage thing too...

Thanks for the heads up JBT.

[rwf]

I will be running my water weather tyres

[Ted]

Everyone has wagered in with pressures so I will leave that alone. What Rhys said about first time use is about spot on, I found the best tyre life out of it that way. Remember that its the number of heat cycles that these work at their best for, so definitely resist just driving on them for a few days before and after each track day and you should get at least 6-10 days out of them. I have also heard of sticking an extra 8psi into them for the drive out and back each time, but have never done that myself.

Another hint, whenever I take them off the car, I mark each one with chalk to tell me where it came from on the car then store them in a dry, cool and dark place. Oh, and if you are feeling rich enough, pull another degree or so of neg camber plus all the caster you can get with these tyres for the day.

[Cal]

you should get at least 6-10 days out of them.

I find the R888's pretty amazing in this regard. I run them until canvas is coming out of them and don't really notice them going off no matter haw many heat cycles they have seen. Perhaps it's just been so long since I could justify new ones that I've forgotten. I drive to and from the track with them and have never pumped them up higher, although I have been advised to.

[mazlot]

Cal,

you run 8 inch rims, don't you ?

Is there a difference in handling versus 7 inch rims ?

Jeff

[Cal]

Shhhh

It's pretty hard to tell. If the handling has been improved, it's certainly subtle. I still run 205/50/15's on them, not 215's.